Stronger economic partnership between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy set to boost growth in UK and India.

The UK and India will use their combined expertise and resources to increase growth and prosperity for both nations, the UK’s new International Development Secretary Priti Patel said today.

During her visit to India, one of her first trips in her new role, the UK Secretary of State met with India’s Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley to discuss ways in which the two governments can strengthen links between key economic institutions and centers of excellence in UK and India.

The UK government is working to support India’s ambitious economic agenda through financial services, building smart cities, boosting skills, increasing the ease of doing business and improving energy infrastructure and harnessing the financing power of city of London.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel said:

As a global leader that stands tall in the world, the UK is deepening its economic partnership with India to deliver long-term progress for our people and ensure bright, prosperous futures for our two great nations. I am here to build a deeper partnership based on shared prosperity that delivers jobs and growth both here and at home in the UK.

The two ministers also discussed the transformed UK-India development partnership which was underlined by Prime Minister Modi’s historic UK visit late last year. As India becomes a global player and major economy, the UK’s development relationship with India has also evolved - targeting cooperation in areas that are most important to both India and the UK. This is done through sharing skills and expertise; and investing in the private sector to benefit India’s poor people whilst also generating a return on the UK’s investment for Britain – a return that can be re-invested.